Troubled plane lands safely

Pilot says false indication of engine fire required action.

Pilot says false indication of engine fire required action.

October 20, 2006|JOSHUA STOWE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- A private twin-engine plane bearing nine people arrived safely at South Bend Regional Airport late Thursday morning after a false alarm about an engine fire prompted the pilot to land shortly after taking off from Michigan City. "Anytime you have a fire light, it gets your attention," said Pat Howe, the pilot, adding that he landed as a precaution. "But we could tell right away that it was probably a false alarm." The 64-year-old, who's been flying for more than 40 years, shrugged off the surprise, as did Carl Abbott, a passenger who works for Land O' Frost Inc., a Lansing, Ill.-based meat processing company. The plane was headed from Michigan City to Arkansas after a business meeting, Abbott said. He declined a request to speak with other passengers, some of whom appeared shaken after the landing. "It was very, very well- handled by Pat," he said. "We were fortunate we had Pat as our pilot." Howe said he didn't turn off the engine, adding that he's only had to cut an engine four times during his career as a pilot. "It's an inconvenience for the passengers," he said after the landing. Passengers were still planning to return to Arkansas on Thursday, he added.Staff writer Joshua Stowe: jstowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6359